Countries Abortion Profile

An Overview:

A research studies conducted in 2002 and 2003 (by Population Council-Pakistan) in all four provinces in both urban and rural communities to analyses post abortion care situation in Pakistan and conduct interviews with follows:

• Health professionals
• Health facilities
• Survey of women who suffered from post-abortion complications
• In-depth qualitative interviews with women (and their husbands) who had experienced an induced abortion

 The finding of this survey as follows:

• An estimated 890, 000 induced abortions occur annually in Pakistan
• One abortion for every five live births
• Relatively older women with several children
• 89% discussed with husband the possibility of termination of pregnancy* (interview with 189 women who had abortion)
• Decision made jointly by husband and wife in 66%.
• Abortions resorted to in order to limit family size or space births, and for financial reasons
• D & C is the most common method used *(health professional survey)
• An estimated 196,671 women are hospitalized for complications of induced abortions
• The rural poor and the urban poor are more likely to seek abortions under unsafe conditions
• When complications occur, poor women are more likely to seek care from government facilities

 Law Situation in Pakistan

 “A Woman’s right to obtain an abortion by her own choice within the first 120 days of pregnancy should be unambiguously declared an absolute legal right” (Source: Recommendation of the Commission of Inquiry for Women, Pakistan, Aug.1997). This still remains as a recommendation. 

 In 1990 the Pakistan Penal Code of 1860 and the Criminal Procedure Code of 1898 was amended. The purpose of the amendment was to bring the law into conformity with the injunctions of Islam, as laid down in the Holy Quran and Sunnah. Since 1997, as a result of amendment of the Penal Code, abortion is allowed in the early stages of pregnancy not only to save the life of the woman, but also for providing necessary treatment. This has widened legal permission for carrying out the abortion in the early stages of pregnancy.

• Economic or social reasons – no.                                              
• Available on request – no.

Public and Private Organizations have different interpretations. Generally, it is considered restrictive but since 1997, as a result of amendment of the Penal Code, abortion is allowed in the early stages of pregnancy not only to save the life of the woman, but also for providing necessary treatment. This gives privilege to medical practitioners to work on it. No qualified medical practitioner has ever been prosecuted for an uncomplicated termination of pregnancy.

Government has no policy on Abortion. Neither the National Health Policy nor the National Population Policy has any mention of Abortion.

The providers of abortion services are both private & public GP clinics, maternity homes and gynaecologists in private & public hospitals. This is very low key, often considered as clandestine, with little records kept. Charges are variable and often exploitative. It is completely unregulated and no stats are available.

Signatory to ICPD, CEDAW: Yes, but has reservations about abortion services as per Islamic law and decision of Penal Code as mentioned above.

No authentic statistics are available.

Missed abortion, inventible Abortion or incomplete abortion services available in
1st Trimester
2nd Trimester
Cost - varies.

Missed abortion, inventible Abortion or incomplete abortion services available in private sector also.
 
1st Trimester – yes.
2nd Trimester – yes, up to 120 days.
Cost- varies from US$ 70 to US$300 depending on gestation size, ambulatory or in patient.

Almost all methods are available included MVA not widely used. But Mifepristone is not licensed but Misoprostol and Methotrexate are available in the country.
 
2nd Trimester with Ethacridine lactate , Misoprostol, D&E, Hyterotomy.
 
Mostly D&E and hysterotomy.

Only Ob Gyn and MBBS are permitted by law.

No authentic data available expect survey conducted by Population Council-Pakistan (2002-2003).

Almost all available; no restrictions on imports of equipment.

All imported; mifepristone is not licensed in the country.

Pakistan Medical and Dental Council certify doctors and dentists. The registration is a license to practice. The Nursing Council of Pakistan certifies nurses, lady health visitors, lady health workers and midwives. The registration is a license to practice.

No authentic data are available, however, Government is the largest provider of healthcare in the country. Its facilities are according to standards set by Ministry of Health.  
No national service delivery standards are available on Abortion. However, National Service Standards are formulated for RH/FP services.

Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs), Quakes, Lady Health Visitors (LHVs), Lady Health Workers (LHWs) Nurses available in rural & urban areas.

163.82 million  Source: Population Census Organization
Urban  34% of total population and Rural 66% of total population.
No available statistics for abortion services to the population as there are any formal abortion services in the public or private sector. However, Marie-Stopes Society is providing abortion services through over 50 centres nationwide.

Supportive, enabling, curtailing barriers, provides adequate funding to run training and service delivery programmes in the country especially on FP& RH.

In Pakistan Muslims are in majority and the ‘ulamas’ are generally restrictive about abortion; but ‘Fatwas’ differ from state to state within the country.

Encourage safe abortion but mostly take traditional approach and no official position taken.

The International Federation of Gynecologists and Obstetricians with support from IPPF, UNFPA, IPAS, WHO, launched a FIGO initiative on unsafe abortion, calling from member associates in countries with high incidence of related morbidity and mortality to undertake a situation analysis on the subject. The results in case of Pakistan have been shared with stakeholders, including FPAP. Since it was a desk review of available research, no new facts have emerged. The Population Council study is still considered the most authentic research on Abortion in Pakistan. However, there is great potential for research in this field given the restrictive environment and high incidence of unsafe abortions and their complications in the country.

No significant awareness on complication on unsafe abortion and legal status of Abortion Law.